There are conflicting estimates of the number of displaced immigrants in the Western Cape - one relief agency says the number now stands at 35,000 while the City of Cape Town says the number is about 12,000.
Last week, the figure was widely estimated and accepted to be about 20,000 but on Wednesday the Mustadafin Foundation, which is working with the city's Disaster Management to assist immigrants, said the aftershock of the attacks had swelled the number to 35,000.
The foundation said it was feeding 13,850 of the displaced 35,000 immigrants, including one of the largest refugee camps, Soetwater.
"As the crisis continues ... conditions in the various refugee sites are becoming more and more unbearable.
"Furthermore, with no idea of the future or futures of their children, the refugees are becoming increasingly restless, calling on the UN for support," the organisation said yesterday.
Disaster Management's Wilfred Solomons said the 35 000 figure was incorrect, but in fact the number had dropped to about 12 000 as most of the immigrants had left the camps, reintegrated into communities and were "going to work".
According to statistics supplied by Disaster Management, safety sites such as Soetwater were at full capacity, housing close to 4,000 immigrants, while Blue Waters was accommodating nearly 200.
Youngsfield military base had almost reached its 1,500 carrying capacity and Harmony Park had reached its 2,000 capacity.
The city said Citrusdal farmers had offered employment and accommodation to some of the refugees.
On Wednesday, The Cape Argus reported that immigrants accommodated in temporary shelters have until next month to go back to their countries or return to their local homes.
They would be "temporarily exempt" from deportation, said Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
She also proposed a review of the current immigration laws to provide for "special dispensations" for immigrants, saying it was a waste of resources to deport them because they always returned.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe was arranging for about 2,500 of its citizens to be repatriated, its state media said on Wednesday.
About 50,000 migrants have left South Africa, with the bulk crossing into neighbouring Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Some refused to go back to their communities in South Africa out of fear.
Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said there had been no fresh attacks since shortly after soldiers were sent into the townships, though he added that President Thabo Mbeki might extend the army's deployment when it expired this weekend. - Cape Argus
Last week, the figure was widely estimated and accepted to be about 20,000 but on Wednesday the Mustadafin Foundation, which is working with the city's Disaster Management to assist immigrants, said the aftershock of the attacks had swelled the number to 35,000.
The foundation said it was feeding 13,850 of the displaced 35,000 immigrants, including one of the largest refugee camps, Soetwater.
"As the crisis continues ... conditions in the various refugee sites are becoming more and more unbearable.
"Furthermore, with no idea of the future or futures of their children, the refugees are becoming increasingly restless, calling on the UN for support," the organisation said yesterday.
Disaster Management's Wilfred Solomons said the 35 000 figure was incorrect, but in fact the number had dropped to about 12 000 as most of the immigrants had left the camps, reintegrated into communities and were "going to work".
According to statistics supplied by Disaster Management, safety sites such as Soetwater were at full capacity, housing close to 4,000 immigrants, while Blue Waters was accommodating nearly 200.
Youngsfield military base had almost reached its 1,500 carrying capacity and Harmony Park had reached its 2,000 capacity.
The city said Citrusdal farmers had offered employment and accommodation to some of the refugees.
On Wednesday, The Cape Argus reported that immigrants accommodated in temporary shelters have until next month to go back to their countries or return to their local homes.
They would be "temporarily exempt" from deportation, said Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
She also proposed a review of the current immigration laws to provide for "special dispensations" for immigrants, saying it was a waste of resources to deport them because they always returned.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe was arranging for about 2,500 of its citizens to be repatriated, its state media said on Wednesday.
About 50,000 migrants have left South Africa, with the bulk crossing into neighbouring Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Some refused to go back to their communities in South Africa out of fear.
Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said there had been no fresh attacks since shortly after soldiers were sent into the townships, though he added that President Thabo Mbeki might extend the army's deployment when it expired this weekend. - Cape Argus
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